category

period

Pashtun Yatak

Early 20th Century
Afghanistan

DESCRIPTION:

Using simple bold geometry and saturated Central Asian colors, this sleeping rug was woven in central Afghanistan presumably by Pashtun-speaking people. Though made with a specific utility in mind, great care has been taken in its construction. Unlike the vast majority of pieces from the region, this piece is woven with looped pile, a technique more recently associated with certain Anatolian pieces and historically associated with Egyptian weaving from the Middle Kingdom (apx. 2050-1800 BCE) and throughout late antiquity. The flatwoven portions are particularly thoughtful and pleasing. Of special merit is the back, which draws multi-colored boxes in flatweave. This was no easy task. To transition to each color horizontally, new weft had to be added for each. This is a time consuming technique that we seldom see in any weaving area.